logo
MPs back plans for ministers to ease pub last orders without Parliament debate

MPs back plans for ministers to ease pub last orders without Parliament debate

Rhyl Journal4 days ago
Under existing rules, Parliament must sign off on plans to ease licensing restrictions at a national level and extend last orders beyond the usual 11pm.
But the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill, which has cleared the Commons at third reading, would let ministers effectively bypass a parliamentary debate.
MPs could still 'pray against' the Government's decision-making, if they would like a debate or vote.
Matt Turmaine said the move would allow ministers to process orders 'without using up valuable parliamentary time'.
The Watford MP, speaking in place of Labour MP for Wrexham Andrew Ranger who tabled the Bill, said the move was 'about cutting red tape, red tape that produces unnecessary and time-consuming bureaucracy for the hospitality industry and local authorities for the simple matter of wanting to be able to open earlier or stay open later when occasions of special importance emerge, as they surely do'.
Mr Turmaine, a Labour MP, said the Bill would make a 'very simple alteration' to the Licensing Act 2003.
'It is also extremely welcome that there has been broad support and consensus across the House regarding this,' he added.
'Whether that says something about parliamentarians and pints, I could not possibly say.'
Mr Turmaine said the existing process, known as the affirmative procedure, 'is problematic when an order needs to be made at short notice'.
The Home Office successfully used this procedure last month, when MPs agreed without opposition to let pubs and bars temporarily sell alcohol until 1am, if England or Wales – or both – reach the Uefa Women's Euros semi-finals or finals.
Both teams begin their Championship campaign on Saturday when the Lionesses face France and Wales will play the Netherlands.
The semi-finals take place on July 22 and 23, with the final on July 27.
Mr Turmaine had earlier told MPs: 'The negative procedure has the benefit of allowing licensing extensions to be made in the rare event that they are needed during parliamentary recess or at short notice.'
He said: 'Special occasions such as World Cups, European Championships and royal weddings are times that live long in the memory of us all, even if we are enjoying the hospitality so enabled.
'And it is only right that our pubs and hospitality venues are given the opportunity to be a part of that experience when they do occur.'
Home Office minister Seema Malhotra described a 'high degree of consensus' across the House, and added: 'I'm pleased to say that the Government fully supports it.'
Mr Ranger's Bill was one of five to clear the Commons on Friday, alongside the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill which would pave the way for a ban on imports of puppies and kittens under six months old, dogs and cats which are more than 42 days pregnant, and dogs and cats which have been mutilated.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill would add llamas and alpacas to the list of farm animals which, if attacked by a dog in England and Wales, would see pet owners fined. It would also extend dog attack protections beyond agricultural land to roads and paths, where animals might be herded.
Voters in Scotland and Wales edged closer to being able to apply for a proxy or postal vote online for devolved elections, bringing them in line with English electors, after MPs agreed to back the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill.
The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill also cleared the Commons, which would see liability caps in the licences granted by the Civil Aviation Authority for spaceflight.
They each face scrutiny in the Lords on later dates.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scotland hero John McGinn subject of major interest from rival English Premier League club
Scotland hero John McGinn subject of major interest from rival English Premier League club

Scottish Sun

time25 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Scotland hero John McGinn subject of major interest from rival English Premier League club

ASTON VILLA have told Everton that John McGinn is NOT for sale. Toffees boss David Moyes is keen to team up with his fellow Scotsman next season. 3 John McGinn, Scotland Credit: Willie Vass 3 Everton boss David Moyes Credit: AFP 3 McGinn remains a key part of Unai Emery's plans at Villa Credit: Reuters But it is understood that Villa have rejected an approach for skipper McGinn. The Scotland star, 30, is integral to Unai Emery's plans for the new campaign. McGinn has two years left on his deal but Villa have no plans to cash in on their longest-serving player. Everton gaffer Moyes lost Abdoulaye Doucoure at the end of the season and is hunting for a replacement. But Emery still views McGinn as an influential figure as he closes in on 300 club appearances. He moved to the Midlands from Hibs in 2018 for around £3.5million and has helped Villa go from the Championship to Champions League. The Scotland talisman previously revealed that the Villa boss is hard on him — but Emery insists it's just to ensure his standards remain high. Speaking in December, he said: 'John is a very good man and a very good player. 'But we are always speaking about how football moves so quickly and the level we want to keep is high. 'John is following our message but knows he started this season in worse form than last year. He is just a very important player for us.' Scotland players send encouragement to schoolboy, 10, who later died after battle with rare childhood dementia Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Impostor uses AI to mimic Marco Rubio's voice and writing
Impostor uses AI to mimic Marco Rubio's voice and writing

The Independent

time35 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Impostor uses AI to mimic Marco Rubio's voice and writing

An impostor used artificial intelligence to mimic Secretary of State Marco Rubio 's voice and writing style. The individual contacted senior U.S. officials and foreign ministers through voicemails and text messages sent via the Signal app. Authorities suspect the impersonation aimed to manipulate government officials to gain access to sensitive information or accounts. The State Department is currently investigating the security breach, with the impostor's identity yet to be determined. This incident occurs amidst broader concerns about the use of encrypted messaging apps for official government communications, following previous security incidents like 'Signalgate.'

Euro 2025: Fans still believe as Wales face France in St Gallen
Euro 2025: Fans still believe as Wales face France in St Gallen

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Euro 2025: Fans still believe as Wales face France in St Gallen

Wales fans are hoping their team can recover from their opening loss to the Netherlands when they face France on their first appearance at a women's major tournament, Wales started their Euro 2025 campaign with a 3-0 defeat against the Dutch in Lucerne on formidable challenge awaits in St Gallen on Wednesday as Rhian Wilkinson's side take on France, who beat reigning champions England in their opening against Les Bleus could knock Wales out of the competition, even before their final group game against England on Sunday. Thousands of Welsh fans have travelled to Switzerland, with an estimated 3,800 at the Allmend Stadium in Lucerne to watch their defeat by the Wales will once again be the underdogs against France, their travelling supporters in St Gallen remain optimistic."We've seen the French beat England, we've seen their tactics and we'll be up for it," said Jacqueline Davies, 64, from Aberdare."We're mega excited. We couldn't get to Lucerne but we're here for the next two matches."Jacqueline has travelled to Switzerland with her friend, Deborah Pagington, who was also with her when Wales beat the Republic of Ireland to secure qualification for Euro 2025 last December."We've been to Dublin and saw all the home matches," said Deborah, 63, from Newport."When we qualified, I was crying. That was an awesome night," Jacqueline win in Dublin was an historic moment for Wales, who had never before qualified for the finals of a women's major followed a journey that saw the national team not formally recognised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) until 1993. First Minister Eluned Morgan was in attendance as Wales faced the Netherlands in Lucerne, while men's head coach Craig Bellamy is expected to be in St Gallen for the France are predicting an explosion in the women's game in Wales, with more women and girls playing the sport as well as watching the national side."Since Wales qualified I've been really excited and every single night I've wished it was already time to go," said Harriet, 10, from Cardiff, who has travelled to Switzerland with her family."We've only missed two games in the last four years," said Rupert, her 12-year-old father James, 42, added: "It's absolutely massive for women's football. "Harriet plays for Gwaelod Rangers, just down the road from us, and the numbers we've seen coming through there have been tremendous, a great increase. We're massively proud of Wales." Wales' preparations were disrupted the day before the game when their team bus was involved in a crash on the way to training at Arena St Gallen. The FAW said all players and staff who were on the bus were uninjured, though an ambulance was at the scene attending to the driver of another Wales training session scheduled to be held at the stadium on Tuesday was cancelled as a result, though the squad may train later in the day at their team base in Weinfelden, about 30 minutes from St Wilkinson and captain Angharad James were not on the bus, having travelled to the stadium earlier to conduct their pre-match media conference."We are shaken because we are away from the team right now knowing that they have had to experience that," Wilkinson said."But equally we have a great group and I have been assured that everyone is fine. We have practiced for the unexpected, that's what we can call this."We will check in with everyone and make sure they are all in a good spot and we can focus on the football again after that."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store